Lateral tilt control for an agricultural harvester

ABSTRACT

A lateral tilt control system for an agriculture harvester may include first and second tilt cylinders coupled between a support structure and an implement of the harvester. The first tilt cylinder may include a first cap-side chamber and a first rod-side chamber and the second tilt cylinder may include a second cap-side chamber and a second rod-side chamber. The system may also include a first fluid line providing a flow path between the first cap-side chamber and the second cap-side chamber and a second fluid line providing a flow path between the first rod-side chamber and the second cap-side chamber. Additionally, the system may include a pressure relief valve coupled between the first and second fluid lines to allow fluid to be transferred between the first and second fluid lines when a fluid pressure within either fluid line exceed a relief pressure setting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/404,643, filed Jan. 12, 2017, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to agricultural harvestersand, more particularly, to an improved lateral tilt control system forcontrolling the lateral orientation of a header or other harvestingimplement of as agricultural harvester.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A harvester is an agricultural machine that is used to harvest andprocess crops. For instance, a forage harvester may be used to cut andcomminute silage crops, such as grass and corn. Similarly, a combineharvester may be used to harvest grain crops, such as wheat, oats, rye,barley, corn, soybeans, and flax or linseed. In general, the objectiveis to complete several processes, which traditionally were distinct, inone pass of the machine over a particular part of the field. In thisregard, most harvesters are equipped with a detachable harvestingimplement, such as a header, which cuts and collects the crop from thefield and feeds it to the base harvester for further processing.

Conventionally, the operation of most harvesters requires substantialoperational involvement and control by the operator. For example, withreference to a combine, the operator is typically required to controlvarious operating parameters, such as the direction of the combine, thespeed of the combine, the height of the combine header, the air flowthrough the combine cleaning fan, the amount of harvested crop stored onthe combine; and/or the like. To address such issues, many currentcombines utilizes an automatic header height and tilt control system tomaintain a constant cutting height above the ground regardless of theground contour or ground position relative to the base combine. Forinstance, it is known to utilize electronically controlled tiltcylinders to automatically adjust the lateral orientation or tilt of theheader relative to the ground based on sensor measurements. However,such systems often exhibit significant lag and slow response times,particularly when the harvester is operating at high ground speeds. As aresult, these systems are not equipped to adjust the lateral orientationof the header sufficiently fast enough to account for quickly changingground contours and/or ground positions.

Accordingly, an improved lateral tilt control system for an agriculturalharvester that addresses one or more of the issues identified abovewould be welcomed in the technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a lateral tiltcontrol system for an agricultural harvester including a supportstructure and an implement pivotally coupled to the support structure.The system may include first and second tilt cylinders coupled betweenthe support structure and the implement. The first tilt cylinder mayinclude a first cap-side chamber and a first rod-side chamber and thesecond tilt cylinder may include a second cap-side chamber and a secondrod-side chamber. The system may also include a first fluid lineproviding a flow path between the first cap-side chamber of the firsttilt cylinder and the second rod-side chamber of the second tiltcylinder and a second fluid line providing a flow path between the firstrod-side chamber of the first tilt cylinder and the second cap-sidechamber of the second tilt cylinder. Additionally, the system mayinclude a pressure relief valve coupled between the first and secondfluid lines. The pressure relief valve may be configured to be opened toallow fluid to be transferred between the first and second fluid lineswhen a fluid pressure within one of the first fluid line or the secondfluid line exceeds a relief pressure setting associated with thepressure relief valve.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a lateraltilt control system for an agricultural harvester including a supportstructure and an implement pivotally coupled to the support structure.The system may include a tilt cylinder coupled between the supportstructure and the implement, with the tilt cylinder including a cap-sidechamber and a rod-side chamber. Additionally, the system may include apressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the tilt cylinder,a first fluid line providing a flow path between the cap-side chamber ofthe tilt cylinder and the pressurized fluid source, and a second fluidline providing a flow path between the rod-side chamber of the tiltcylinder and the pressurized fluid source. The system may also include apressure relief valve coupled between the first and second fluid lines.The pressure relief valve may be configured to be opened to allow fluidto be transferred between the first and second fluid lines when a fluidpressure within one of the first fluid line or the second fluid lineexceeds a relief pressure setting associated with the pressure reliefvalve.

In a further aspect, the present subject matter is directed to anagricultural harvester including a feeder, a header pivotally coupled tothe feeder, and a lateral tilt control system configured to allow theheader to pivot relative to the feeder to adjust a lateral orientationof the header. The lateral control system may include first and secondtilt cylinders coupled between the support structure and the implement.The first tilt cylinder may include a first cap-side chamber and a firstrod-side chamber and the second tilt cylinder may include a secondcap-side chamber and a second rod-side chamber. The lateral controlsystem may also include a first fluid line providing a flow path betweenthe first cap-side member of the first tilt cylinder and the secondrod-side chamber of the second tilt cylinder and a second fluid lineproviding a flow path between the first rod-side chamber of the firsttilt cylinder and the second cap-side chamber of the second tiltcylinder. Additionally, the lateral control system may include apressure relief valve coupled between the first and second fluid lines.The pressure relief valve may be configured to be opened to allow fluidto be transferred between the first and second fluid lines when a fluidpressure within one of the first fluid line or the second fluid lineexceeds a relief pressure setting associated with the pressure reliefvalve.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified, partial sectional side view of oneembodiment of an agricultural combine in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified, schematic view of one embodiment of alateral tilt control system for an agricultural harvester in accordancewith aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 3 illustrates another schematic view of the lateral tilt controlsystem shown in FIG. 2, particularly illustrating the header of theharvester pivoted relative to the feeder of the harvester in a firstdirection;

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another schematic view of the lateral tiltcontrol system shown in FIG. 2, particularly illustrating the headerpivoted relative to the feeder in a second direction opposite the firstdirection;

FIG. 5 illustrates a more detailed, schematic view of one embodiment ofa lateral tilt control system tor an agricultural harvester inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter;

FIG. 6 illustrates another schematic view of the lateral tilt controlsystem shown in FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the header pivotedrelative to the feeder in the first direction during implementation of apassive control mode of the disclosed system; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of another embodiment of a lateraltilt control system for an agricultural harvester in accordance withaspects of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as comes within the scope ofthe appended claims and their equivalents.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to an improvedlateral tilt control system for an agricultural harvester that providesfor improved system responsiveness in allowing a harvesting implement ofthe harvester (e.g., a header) to pivot relative to its associatedsupport structure (e.g., a feeder of the harvester). Specifically, inseveral embodiments, the system may include first and second tiltcylinders coupled between the header and the feeder of the harvester,with the tilt cylinders being hydraulically coupled in parallel via afluid circuit of the system. For instance, in one embodiment, the fluidcircuit may include both a first fluid line coupled between a cap-sidechamber of the first tilt cylinder and a rod-side chamber of the secondtilt cylinder end a second fluid line coupled between a rod-side chamberof the first tilt cylinder and a cap-side chamber of the second tiltcylinder. In addition, the system may, in several embodiments, includean electronically controlled pressure relief valve coupled between thefirst and second fluid lines. In such an embodiment, when the fluidpressure within one of the fluid lines exceeds the relief pressuresetting associated with the pressure relief valve, the valve may beopened to allow fluid to be transferred from the high pressure line tothe sow pressure line.

As will be described below, the disclosed system may be utilized toimplement a free-float or passive control mode in which the header isallowed to “float” relative to the ground and tilt laterally toaccommodate changes in the contour or elevation of the ground. As aresult, the lateral orientation of the header may be adjusted withoutany significant lag in the control system, thereby increasing thesystem's overall responsiveness to quickly changing ground contoursand/or elevations. Moreover, when implementing the passive control mode,the relief pressure setting for the pressure relief valve may beadjusted, as desired by the operator, to vary the “float” sensitivity orspring rate of the system.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified, partialsectional side view of one embodiment of an agricultural harvester 10 inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter. As shown, theharvester 10 is configured as an axial-flow type combine, wherein cropmaterial is threshed and separated while it is advanced by and along alongitudinally arranged rotor 12. The harvester 10 may include a chassisor main frame 14 having a pair of driven, ground-engaging front wheels16 and a pair of steerable rear wheels 18. Additionally, an operator'splatform 20 with an operator's cab 22, a threshing and separatingassembly 24, a grain cleaning assembly 26, a holding tank 28 and anengine 30 may be supported by the frame 14. Moreover, as shown in FIG.1, a harvesting implement (e.g., a header 32) and an associated feeder34 may extend forward of the main frame 14 and may be pivotally securedthereto for generally vertical movement. In general the feeder 34 may beconfigured to serve as support structure for the header 32. As shown inFIG. 1, the feeder 34 extend between a forward end 36 coupled to theheader 32 and a rear end 38 positioned adjacent to the threshing andseparating assembly 24. As is generally understood, the rear end 38 ofthe feeder 34 may be pivotally coupled to a portion of the harvester 10to allow the forward end 36 of the feeder 34 and thus, the header 32 tobe moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the ground 70 to set thedesired harvesting or cutting height for the header 32. For instance, asshown in FIG. 2, one or more height control cylinders 40 may be coupledto the feeder 34 to allow the header 32 to be raised and loweredrelative to the ground.

As the harvester 10 is propelled forwardly over a field with standingcrop, the latter is severed from the stubble by a sickle bar 42 at thefront of the header 32 and delivered by a header auger 44 to the forwardend 36 of the feeder 34, which supplies the cut crop to the threshingand separating assembly 24. As is generally understood, the threshingand separating assembly 24 may include a cylindrical chamber 46 in whichthe rotor 12 is rotated to thresh and separate the crop receivedtherein. That is, the crop is rubbed and beaten between the rotor 12 andthe inner surfaces of the chamber 46, whereby the grain, seed or thelike, is loosened and separated from the straw.

Crop material which has been separated by the threshing and separatingassembly falls onto a series of pans 48 and associated sieves 50, withthe separated crop material being spread out via oscillation of theparts 48 and/or sieves 50 and eventually falling through aperturesdefined in the sieves 50. Additionally, a cleaning fan 52 may bepositioned adjacent to one or more of the sieves 50 to provide an airflow through the sieves 50 that removes chaff and other imparities fromthe crop material. For instance, the fan 52 may blow the impurities offof the crop material for discharge from the harvester 10 through theoutlet of a straw hood 54 positioned at the back end of the harvester10.

The cleaned crop material passing through the sieves 50 may then fallinto a trough of an auger 56, which may be configured to transfer thecrop material to an elevator 58 for delivery to the associated holdingtank 28. Additionally, a pair of tank augers 60 at the bottom of theholding tank 28 may be used to urge the cleaned crop material sidewaysto an unloading lube 62 for discharge from the harvester 10.

Moreover, in several embodiments, the harvester 10 may also include alateral tilt control system 100 that is configured to adjust a lateralorientation or tilt of the header 32 relative to the ground 70 so as tomaintain the desired cutting height between the header 32 and the ground70 across the entire width of the header 32. As will be described below,the lateral tilt control system 100 may include first and second tiltcylinders 102, 104 coupled between the header 32 and the feeder 34 toallow the header 32 to be tilted or otherwise pivoted laterally orside-to-side relative to the feeder 34. As such, the tilt cylinders 102,104 may allow the header 34 to pivot relative to the feeder 34 toaccommodate differences in the elevation or contour of the ground 70across the width of the header 34.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, simplified, schematic views of oneembodiment of the lateral tilt control system 100 described above withreference to FIG. 1 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter. As shown, the header 32 may generally extendside-to-side or in a lengthwise direction (indicated by arrow 105 inFIG. 2) between a first lateral end 106 and a second lateral end 108.Additionally, the header 32 may be pivotally coupled to the feeder 32 ata pivot point 110 defined at a central location of the header 34 betweenits first and second lateral ends 106, 108 to allow the header 32 totilt or pivot laterally relative to the feeder in both a first direction(e.g., as indicated by arrow 112 in FIG. 3) and an opposite sectiondirection (e.g., as indicated by arrow 114 in FIG. 3).

As indicated above, the lateral tilt control system 100 may includefirst and second tilt cylinders 102, 104. For instance, as shown in theillustrated embodiment, a first tilt cylinder 102 may be coupled betweenthe header 32 and the feeder 34 along one lateral side of the pivotpoint 110 and a second tilt cylinder 104 may be coupled between theheader 32 and the feeder 37 along the opposed lateral side of the pivotpoint 110. In general when the lateral tilt control system 100 isoperating in an active control mode, the operation of the tilt cylinders102, 104 may be configured to be actively controlled (e.g., via anassociated controller) to adjust the lateral orientation of the header32 relative to the ground 70. For instance, one or more height sensors116, 118 may be provided on the header 32 to monitor a local distance orheight 120 defined between the header 32 and the ground 70.Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, a first height sensor 116 may beprovided at or adjacent to the first lateral end 106 of the header 32and a second height sensor 118 may be provided at or adjacent to thesecond lateral end 108 of the header 32. In such an embodiment, when oneof the height sensors 116, 118 detects that the local height 120 definedbetween the header 32 and the ground 70 differs from a desired height(or falls outside a desired height range), the tilt cylinders 116, 118may be actively controlled so as to adjust the lateral orientation ofthe header 33 in a manner that maintains the header 32 located at thedesired height (or within the desired height range) relative to theground 70.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a portion of the header 34adjacent to the first lateral end 106 passes over a raised section 122of the ground 70, the reduction in the height 120 defined between theheader 32 and the ground 70 may be detected (e.g., via the first heightsensor 116). The tilt cylinders 102, 104 may then be actively controlledto adjust the lateral orientation of the header 32 in a manner thatpivots the header 32 relative to the feeder 34 about the pivot point 110in the first direction 112 such that the first lateral end 106 is raisedrelative to the ground 70. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 4, when a portionof the header 34 adjacent to the second lateral end 108 passes over araised section 124 of the ground 70, the reduction in the height 120defined between the header 32 and the ground 70 may be detected (e.g.,via the second height sensor 118). The tilt cylinders 102, 104 may thenbe actively controlled to adjust the lateral orientation of the header32 in a manner that pivots the header 32 relative to the feeder 34 aboutthe pivot point 110 in the second direction 114 such that the secondlateral end 108 is raised relative to the ground 70. It should beappreciated that, in combination with the active control of theoperation of the tilt cylinders 102, 104, the operation of the heightcontrol cylinder(s) 40 may also be actively controlled to ensure thatthe header 33 is maintained at the desired height (and/or within thedesired height range) relative to the ground 70.

Additionally, as will be described in greater detail below, the lateraltilt control system 100 may also be configured to be operated in afree-float or passive control mode. In such an operating mode, theactive control of the tilt cylinders 102, 104 may be stopped and theheader 32 may be allowed to freely “float” or tilt relative to theground 70, thereby permitting the header 32 to pivot based on changes inthe contour or elevation of the ground 70. For instance, when the header32 passes over a raised section 122, 124 of the ground 70 such that aportion of the header 32 contacts the ground 70 along either side of thepivot point 110 and a sufficient moment force is applied through theheader 32, the header 32 may be allowed to pivot freely about the pivotpoint 110 to reduce or alleviate the loading on the header 32. In suchinstance, the fluid circuit associated with tilt cylinders 102, 104 mayallow hydraulic fluid to be transferred between opposed chambers of thecylinders 102, 104 in a manner to accommodate such pivoting of theheader 32.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a more detailed, schematic view of oneembodiment of the lateral tilt control system 100 described above withreference to FIGS. 2-4 is illustrated in accordance with aspects of thepresent subject matter. As shown, the system 100 may include acontroller 130 configured to electronically control the operation of oneor more other components of the system 100. Specifically, as will bedescribed below, the controller 130 may be configured to control theoperation of one more control valves 132 for regulating the flow ofhydraulic fluid supplied from an associated pressurized fluid source(e.g., a suitable pump 134) to the tilt cylinders 102, 104. In addition,the controller 130 may be configured to control the operation of apressure relief valve 136 based on a corresponding relief pressuresetting associated with the valve 136, thereby allowing the “float”sensitivity or spring rate of the system 100 to be adjusted as desired.

In general, the controller 130 may correspond to any suitableprocessor-based device known in the art, such as a computing device orany suitable combination of computing devices. Thus, in severalembodiments, the controller 130 may include one or more processor(s) 138and associated memory device(s) 140 configured to perform a variety ofcomputer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term “processor”refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as beingincluded in a computer, but also refers to a controller, amicrocontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC),an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmablecircuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) 140 of the controller 130may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to,computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computerreadable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a compact disc-readonly memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatiledisc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s)140 may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readableinstructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) 137, configurethe controller 130 to perform various computer-implemented functions,such as one or more aspects of the control functionality describedherein. In addition, the controller 130 may also include various othersuitable components, such as a communications circuit or module, one ormore input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like.

It should be appreciated that the controller 130 may correspond to anexisting controller of the associated harvester 10 or the controller 130may correspond to a separate processing device. For instance, in oneembodiment, the controller 130 may form all or part of a separateplug-in module that may be installed within the harvester 10 to allowthe present subject matter to be implemented without requiringadditional software to be uploaded onto existing control devices of theharvester 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, each tilt cylinder 102, 104 may include a piston 142encased within an associated cylinder housing 144 and a piston rod 146extending outwardly from the housing 144. In one embodiment, to couplethe tilt cylinders 102, 104 between the header 32 and the feeder 34, oneof the housing 144 or the piston rod 146 of each tilt cylinder 102, 104may be coupled to the header 32, with the other of the housing 144 orthe piston rod 146 being coupled to the feeder 34. Additionally, eachcylinder 102, 104 may define opposed cylinder chambers along either sideof its piston 142. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, the first tiltcylinder 102 may include both a first cap-side chamber 148 and a firstrod-side chamber 150. Similarly, the second tilt cylinder 104 mayinclude a second cap-side chamber 152 and a second rod-side chamber 154.

Moreover, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the system 100 mayalso include a fluid circuit 160 providing a fluid coupling or pathbetween the pump 134 and the tilt cylinders 102, 104. For instance, asshown in FIG. 5, the pump 134 may be fluidly coupled to the controlvalve(s) 132 via one or more pump lines 162 to allow pressurizedhydraulic fluid to be supplied from the pump 134 to the control valve(s)132. Additionally, the control valve(s) 132 may be fluidly coupled tothe first and second tilt cylinders 102, 104 via first and second fluidlines 164, 166. For instance, as shown in FIG. 3, the first fluid line164 may be configured to provide a fluid path between the controlvalve(s) 132 and opposite chambers of the first and second tiltcylinders 102, 104. Specifically, the first fluid line 164 may include afirst cap-side leg 168 that provides a flow path between the controlvalve(s) 132 and the cap-side chamber 148 of the first tilt cylinder 102and a first rod-side leg 170 that provides a flow path between thecontrol valve(s) 132 and the rod-side chamber 154 of the second tiltcylinder 104, with the first cap-side and rod-side legs 168, 170 beingfluidly coupled to the control valve(s) 132 via a first valve leg 172 ofthe first fluid line 164. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, the secondfluid line 166 may be configured to provide a field path between thecontrol valve(s) 132 and the remaining opposite chambers of the firstand second tilt cylinders 102, 104. Specifically, the second fluid line166 may include a second rod-side leg 174 that provides a flow pathbetween the control valve(s) 132 and the rod-side chamber 150 of thefirst tilt cylinder 102 and a second cap-side leg 176 that provides aflow path between the control valve(s) 132 and the cap-side chamber 132of the second tilt cylinder 104, with the second rod-side and cap-sidelegs 174, 176 being fluidly coupled to the control valve(s) 112 via asecond valve leg 178 of the second fluid line 166.

Additionally, as indicated above, the system 100 may also include apressure relief valve 136 provided is fluid communication with the fluidcircuit 160. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure relief valve136 may be fluidly coupled between the first and second fluid lines 164,166, such as by coupling the pressure relief valve 136 between the firstand second valve legs 172, 178 of the fluid lines 164, 166. As such, thepressure relief valve 136 may provide a means for transferring hydraulicfluid between the fluid lines 164, 166 when the pressure within eitherfluid line 164, 166 exceeds the relief pressure setting associated withthe pressure relief valve 136. For instance, when the fluid pressurewithin each fluid line 164, 166 is below the relief pressure setting forthe pressure relief valve 136, the valve 136 may remain in a closedposition so as to fluidly isolate the first fluid line 164 from thesecond fluid line 166. However, when the fluid pressure within the firstfluid line 164 exceeds the relief pressure setting, the pressure reliefvalve 136 may be configured to be opened in a manner that allowshydraulic fluid within the first fluid line 164 to flow through thevalve 136 to the second fluid line 166. Similarly, when the fluidpressure within the second fluid line 166 exceeds the relief pressuresetting, the pressure relief valve 136 may be configured to be opened ina manner that allows hydraulic fluid within the second fluid line 166 toflow through the valve 136 to the first fluid line 164.

It should be appreciated that, in several embodiments, the pressurerelief valve 136 may correspond to any suitable electronicallycontrollable valve (and/or any suitable combination of electronicallycontrollable valves) that allows the disclosed system 100 to function asdescribed herein, such as an electronically controlled, dual-actingpressure relief valve. In such embodiments, the controller 130 may beconfigured to electronically control the operation of the pressurerelief valve 136 based on the fluid pressure within each fluid line 164,166. For instance, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 130 may becommunicatively coupled to one or more pressure sensors 180 provided influid communication with each fluid line 164, 166. Thus, by monitoringthe fluid pressure within each fluid line 164, 166 and comparing suchfluid pressure to the relief pressure setting for the pressure reliefvalve 136, the controller 130 may be configured to control the operationof the pressure relieve valve 136 to allow fluid to be transferredbetween the fluid lines 164, 166 when the fluid pressure within one ofthe fluid lines 164, 166 exceeds the pressure relief setting.

Additionally, by configuring the pressure relief valve 136 as anelectronically controlled valve, the relief pressure setting for thevalve 136 may, for example, be automatically adjusted by the controller130 based on inputs received from the operator. For instance, based onthe desired sensitivity or spring rate for the system 100, the operatormay provide a suitable operator input (e.g., via an input device housedwithin the cab 22) instructing the controller 130 to increase ordecrease the relief pressure setting for the valve 136. Upon receipt ofthe operator input, the controller 130 may then adjust the reliefpressure setting stored within its memory to the desired reliefpressure. Thereafter, the controller 130 may monitor the fluid pressurewithin each fluid valve 164, 166 (e.g., via the pressure sensors 180)relative to the new relief pressure setting.

Referring still to FIG. 5, by fluidly coupling the pump 34 to the tiltcylinders 102, 104 via the fluid circuit 160, the controller 130 may beconfigured to implement an active control mode for the disclosed system100 within which the controller 130 actively controls theactuation/retraction of the tilt cylinders 102, 104 via electroniccontrol of the operation of the control valve(s) 132, thereby allowingthe controller 130 to automatically adjust the lateral orientation ofthe header 32. Specifically, when it is desired to pivot the header 32about the pivot point 110 in the first pivot direction (indicated byarrow 112 in FIG. 5), the operation of the control valve(s) 132 may becontrolled such that pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied from thepump 134 through the valve(s) 132 to the first fluid line 164. In suchinstance, the pressurized fluid supplied through the first fluid line164 may be delivered to both the cap-side chamber 148 of the first tiltcylinder 102 and the rod-side chamber 154 of the second tilt cylinder104, thereby causing the header 32 to be pivoted in the first direction112 (e.g., due to retraction of the piston rod 146 of the first tiltcylinder 102 and extension of the piston rod 146 of the second tiltcylinder 104). Similarly, when it is desired to pivot the header 32about the pivot point 110 in the second pivot direction (indicated byarrow 114 in FIG. 5), the operation of the control valve(s) 132 may becontrolled such that pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied from thepump 134 through the valve(s) 132 to the second fluid line 166. In suchinstance, the pressurized fluid supplied through the second fluid line166 may be delivered to both the rod-side chamber 150 of the first tiltcylinder 102 and the cap-side chamber 152 of the second tilt cylinder104, thereby causing the header 32 to be pivoted in the second direction114 (e.g., due to extension of the piston rod 146 of the first tiltcylinder 102 and retraction of the piston rod 146 of the second tiltcylinder 104). In one embodiment, the controller 130 may be configuredto implement such active control of the retraction/extension of the tiltcylinder 102, 104 based on feedback provided by one or more sensors,such as sensor feedback from the height sensors 116, 118 shown in FIG.204 or sensor feedback from any other suitable sensors (e.g., one ormore orientation sensors, load sensors, and/or the like).

It should be appreciated that the control valve(s) 132 may generallycorrespond to any suitable electronically controllable valve (and/or anysuitable combination of electronically controllable valves) that allowsthe disclosed system 100 to function as described herein. For instance,in one embodiment, the control valve(s) 132 may correspond to aspring-centered, pilot-operated directional control valve. In such anembodiment, the control valve(s) 132 may include a valve spool (notshown) configured to be actuated between various different valvepositions to allow hydraulic fluid to be supplied from the pump 132 toeither fluid line 164, 166 when desired and to also allow the supply ofhydraulic fluid from the pump 134 to be cut-off (e.g., when the controlvalve(s) 132 is located at its closed or neutral position).

Additionally, as indicated above, the disclosed system 100 may alsoinclude a free-float or passive control mode in which the header 32 isallowed to “float” relative to the ground and tilt laterally toaccommodate changes in the contour or elevation of the ground. Toimplement the passive control mode, the controller 130 may be configuredto control the operation of the control valve(s) 132 such that thesupply of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump 134 is cut-off(e.g., by moving the valve(s) 132 to its closed or neutral position),thereby creating a closed-loop circuit between the first and secondfluid lines 164, 166 across the pressure relief valve 136. Thereafter,when the “free-floating” header 32 contacts the ground, a moment forcemay be applied through the header 32 that, in turn, results in anincrease in the fluid pressure within either the first fluid line 164 orthe second fluid line 100 depending on the rotational direction of theforce (e.g., either the first direction 112 or the second direction114). In the event that the increase in pressure in the associated fluidline 164, 166 exceeds the relief pressure setting selected for thepressure relief valve 136, the pressure relief valve 136 may be openedto allow fluid to be transferred from the high pressure line to the lowpressure line, thereby permitting the header 32 to pivot relative to thefeeder 34 about the pivot point 110 in the corresponding rotationaldirection of the applied force. Alternatively, if the increase inpressure in the associated fluid line 154, 166 does not exceed therelief pressure setting, the pressure relief valve 136 may remainclosed, thereby presenting the header 32 from pivoting relative to thefeeder 34. Thus, as indicated above, the specific relief pressuresetting selected for the pressure relief valve 136 may serve to definethe “float” sensitivity or spring rate tor the system 100.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an example implementation of theabove-described free-float or passive control mode is illustrated inaccordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In theillustrated embodiment, a moment force (e.g., as indicated by arrow 190)is being applied through the header 32 that is associated with pivotingthe header 32 relative to the feeder 34 in the fast direction 112, suchas when the first lateral end 106 of the header 32 contacts the ground.As a result, the fluid pressure within the first fluid line 164 may beincreased as the force is transferred through the lift cylinders 102,104. Assuming that the force is sufficient to increase the fluidpressure with so the first fluid line 164 to a pressure exceeding therelief pressure setting for the pressure relief valve 136, thecontroller 130 may be configured to open the pressure relief valve 136to allow the high pressure fluid contained within the first fluid line164 to flow to the second fluid line 166 (e.g., as indicated by arrows192 in FIG. 6. Such fluid exchange between the fluid lines 164, 166 mayresult in the piston rod 146 of the first tilt cylinder 102 retractingand the piston rod 146 of the second tilt cylinder 104 extending topivot the header 32 relative to the feeder 34 in the first direction112.

It should be appreciated that system 100 may be configured to operatesimilarly when the moment force applied through the header 32 that isassociated with pivoting the header 32 relative to the feeder 34 in theopposite direction (i.e., the second direction 114). In such instance,assuming that the force is sufficient to increase the fluid pressurewithin the second fluid line 166 to a pressure exceeding the reliefpressure setting for the pressure relief valve 136, the controller 130may be configured to open the pressure relief valve 136 to allow thehigh pressure fluid contained within the second fluid line 166 to flowto the first fluid line 166. Such fluid exchange between the fluid lines164, 166 may result in the piston rod 146 of the first tilt cylinder 102extending and the piston rod 146 of the second tilt cylinder 104retracting to pivot the header 32 relative to the feeder 34 in thesecond direction 114.

It should also be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, thedisclosed system may be operated in both its active control mode and itspassive control mode utilizing a single tilt cylinder as opposed to apair of tilt cylinders. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an alternativeembodiment of the system 100 described above in which a single tiltcylinder 202 is coupled between the header 32 and the feeder 34. Asshown, the tilt cylinder 202 may be configured similar to the tiltcylinders 102, 104 described above. For instance, the tilt cylinder 202may include a piston 242 encased within an associated cylinder housing244 and a piston rod 246 extending outwardly from the housing 244.Additionally, the cylinder 202 may define opposed cylinder chambersalong either side of its piston 242. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6,the tilt cylinder 202 may include both a cap-side chamber 248 and arod-side chamber 250.

Additionally, the system 100 may also include a fluid circuit 260providing a fluid coupling or path between the pump 134 and the tiltcylinder 202. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, the pump 134 may befluidly coupled to the control valve(s) 132 via one or more pump lines262 to allow pressurized hydraulic fluid to be supplied from the pump134 to the control valve(s) 132. Additionally, the control valve(s) 132may be fluidly coupled to the tilt cylinder 102 via first and secondfluid lines 264, 166. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, the first fluidline 264 may be configured to provide a fluid path between the controlvalve(s) 132 and the rod-side chamber 250 of the tilt cylinder 202.Similarly, the second fluid line 266 may be configured to provide afluid path between the control valve(s) 132 and the cap-side chamber 248of the tilt cylinder 202.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the active and passive control modesmay be implemented similar to that described above with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. Specifically, when in the active control mode, thecontroller 130 may be configured to actively control theactuation/retraction of the tilt cylinder 202 via electronic control ofthe operation of the control valve(s) 132, thereby allowing thecontroller 130 to automatically adjust the lateral orientation of theheader 33. Specifically, when it is desired to pivot the header 32 aboutthe pivot point 110 in the first pivot direction (indicated by arrow 112in FIG. 7), the operation of the control valve(s) 132 may be controlledsuch that pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied from the pump 134through the valve(s) 132 to the first fluid line 264. In such instance,the pressurized fluid supplied through the first fluid line 364 may bedelivered to the rod-side chamber 250 of the tilt cylinder 202, therebycausing the header 32 to be pivoted in the first direction 112.Similarly, when it is desired to pivot the header 32 about the pivotpoint 110 in the second pivot direction (indicated by arrow 114 in FIG.7), the operation of the control valve(s) 132 may be controlled suchthat pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied from the pump 134 throughthe valve(s) 132 to the second fluid line 266. In such instance, thepressurized fluid supplied through the second fluid line 266 may bedelivered to the cap-side chamber 248 of the tilt cylinder 202, therebycausing the header 32 to be pivoted in the second direction 114.

Moreover, when in the passive control mode, the controller 130 may beconfigured to control the operation of the control valve(s) 132 suchthat the supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump 134 iscut-off (e.g., by moving the valve(s) 132 to its closed or neutralposition), thereby creating a closed-loop circuit between the first andsecond fluid lines 264, 266 across the pressure relief valve 136.Thereafter, when the “free-floating” header 32 contacts the ground, amoment force may be applied through the header 32 that, in turn, resultsin an increase in the fluid pressure within either the first fluid line264 or the second fluid line 266 depending on the rotational directionof the force (e.g., either the first direction 112 or the seconddirection 114). In the event that the increase in pressure in theassociated fluid line 264, 266 exceeds the relief pressure settingselected for the pressure relief valve 136, the pressure relief valve136 may be opened to allow fluid to be transferred from the highpressure line to the low pressure line, thereby permitting the header 32to pivot relative to the feeder 34 about the pivot point 110 in thecorresponding rotational direction of the applied force.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ front the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lateral tilt control system for an agriculturalharvester including a support structure and an implement pivotallycoupled to the support structure, the system comprising: a tilt cylindercoupled between the support structure and the implement, the tiltcylinder including a cap-side chamber and a rod-side chamber; apressurized fluid source in fluid communication with the tilt cylinder afirst fluid line providing a flow path between the cap-side chamber ofthe tilt cylinder and the pressurized fluid source; a second fluid lineproviding a flow path between the rod-side chamber of the tilt cylinderand the pressurized fluid source; and a pressure relief valve coupledbetween the first and second fluid lines, the pressure relief valveconfigured to be actuated to an open position to allow fluid to betransferred between the first and second fluid lines when a fluidpressure within one of the first fluid line or the second fluid lineexceeds a relief pressure setting associated with the pressure reliefvalve.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein, when the fluid pressure withinthe first fluid line exceeds the relief pressure setting, fluidcontained within the first fluid line is transferred through the reliefpressure valve to the second fluid line to allow the implement to pivotrelative to the support structure in a first direction.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein, when the fluid pressure within the second fluid lineexceeds the relief pressure setting, fluid contained within the secondfluid line is transferred through the relief pressure valve to the firstfluid line to allow the implement to pivot relative to the supportstructure in a second direction opposite the first direction.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a controller communicativelycoupled to the pressure relief valve, the controller being configured toelectronically control the operation of the pressure relief valve basedon the relief pressure setting.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein thecontroller is configured to adjust the relief pressure settingassociated with the pressure relief valve based on inputs received froman operator of the agricultural harvester.
 6. The system of claim 4,further comprising at least one pressure sensor provided in flowcommunication with each of the first and second fluid lines, thecontroller being configured to monitor the fluid pressure within thefirst and second fluid lines based on sensor measurements provided bythe at least one pressure sensor and compare the monitored fluidpressure to the relief pressure setting associated with the pressurerelief valve.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least onecontrol valve provided in flow communication with the first and secondfluid lines downstream of the pressurized fluid source, the at least onecontrol valve being configured to regulate a supply of fluid from thepressurized fluid source to the first and second fluid lines.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the at least one control valve is configuredto cut-off the supply of fluid from the pressurized fluid source whenthe tilt cylinder is operating in a passive control mode to form aclosed-loop fluid circuit between the first and second fluid linesacross the pressure relief valve.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein thefirst and second fluid lines are coupled in parallel to the at least onecontrol valve, the pressure relief valve being coupled between the firstand second fluid lines downstream of the at least one control valve. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein the implement comprises a header of theagricultural harvester and the support structure comprises a feeder ofthe agricultural harvester.
 11. An agricultural harvester, comprising: afeeder; a header pivotally coupled to the feeder; and a lateral tiltcontrol system configured to allow the header to pivot relative to thefeeder to adjust a lateral orientation of the header, the lateral tiltcontrol system comprising: a tilt cylinder coupled between the headerand the feeder, the tilt cylinder including a cap-side chamber and arod-side chamber; a pressurized fluid source in fluid communication withthe tilt cylinder a first fluid line providing a flow path between thecap-side chamber of the tilt cylinder and the pressurized fluid source;a second fluid line providing a flow path between the rod-side chamberof the tilt cylinder and the pressurized fluid source; and a pressurerelief valve coupled between the first and second fluid lines, thepressure relief valve configured to be actuated to an open position toallow fluid to be transferred between the first and second fluid lineswhen a fluid pressure within one of the first fluid line or the secondfluid line exceeds a relief pressure setting associated with thepressure relief valve.
 12. The agricultural harvester of claim 11,wherein, when the fluid pressure within the first fluid line exceeds therelief pressure setting, fluid contained within the first fluid line istransferred through the relief pressure valve to the second fluid lineto allow the header to pivot relative to the feeder in a firstdirection.
 13. The agricultural harvester of claim 12, wherein, when thefluid pressure within the second fluid line exceeds the relief pressuresetting, fluid contained within the second fluid line is transferredthrough the relief pressure valve to the first fluid line to allow theheader to pivot relative to the feeder in a second direction oppositethe first direction.
 14. The agricultural harvester of claim 11, furthercomprising a controller communicatively coupled to the pressure reliefvalve, the controller being configured to electronically control theoperation of the pressure relief valve based on the relief pressuresetting.
 15. The agricultural harvester of claim 14, wherein thecontroller is configured to adjust the relief pressure settingassociated with the pressure relief valve based on inputs received froman operator of the agricultural harvester.
 16. The agriculturalharvester of claim 14, further comprising at least one pressure sensorprovided in flow communication with each of the first and second fluidlines, the controller being configured to monitor the fluid pressurewithin the first and second fluid lines based on sensor measurementsprovided by the at least one pressure sensor and compare the monitoredfluid pressure to the relief pressure setting associated with thepressure relief valve.
 17. The agricultural harvester of claim 11,further comprising at least one control valve provided in flowcommunication with the first and second fluid lines, the at least onecontrol valve being configured to regulate a supply of fluid from apressurized fluid source to the first and second fluid lines.
 18. Theagricultural harvester of claim 17, wherein the at least one controlvalve is configured to cut-off the supply of fluid from the pressurizedfluid source when the tilt cylinder is operating in a passive controlmode to form a closed-loop fluid circuit between the first and secondfluid lines across the pressure relief valve.
 19. The agriculturalharvester of claim 17, wherein the first and second fluid lines arecoupled in parallel to the at least one control valve, the pressurerelief valve being coupled between the first and second fluid linesdownstream of the at least one control valve.